Sierra A
2009-12-04 21:50:48 UTC
Chapter One
Outside, the wind blew in angry bursts, throwing itself against the old brick house. It was a full moon tonight but you could hardly tell because of the thick clouds that covered the night sky. It was so windy that trees bent and stray pebbles were tossed about in the street. The only street lamp was old and it flickered between light and dark. When it was on, it cast an odd yellow-ish glow. Not many people lived in this neighborhood, so the city didn’t feel the need to fix minor problems such as this.
It was about midnight when Carla Murray heard a high-pitch scream. It was short lived but terrible. The scream sliced through the wind like a hot knife would cut butter. Carla bolted upright, eyes wide. She threw off the covers and groped around for the light switch.
The scream had only lasted about six seconds but it rang on in Carla’s mind for nearly thirty seconds. She wondered if her mom had heard it also, or if she had imagined it. The wind rattled the windows and her teeth chattered. Goose bumps ran up her arm. She was afraid of leaving her room but terrified to stay alone. She slowly pushed open the door and looked around the dark hallway. She at least knew that the scream hadn’t come from her mom. It sounded like it came from someone more Carla’s age... Yet, it sounded close by, perhaps from down the road.
She walked cautiously down the hallway and up the stairs to her mother’s bedroom. The door stood slightly open, leaving a thin strip of light on the hard wood floor. “Mom?” Carla whispered.
“Yes?”
“Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“That scream…” Carla said. She walked into her Mom’s room and sat next to her on the bed. The familiar light blue walls and quilted bed cover made Carla feel safe.
“No, I never heard any screaming. Carla, your fifteen now, almost sixteen, you haven’t had nightmares like that in a long time.” Her mother pointed out softly. Carla shuddered. When she was younger she often had terrible nightmares, but those had stopped when she turned thirteen.
“So... No scream?”
“No scream.” Her mother answered reassuringly, her soft blue eyes had a caring look about them that always made Carla feel like a child. She smiled and picked up a novel that Carla hadn’t noticed before.
“What are you reading?” Asked Carla, wanting to change the topic.
“Another Ted Dekker novel.”
“Cool, you really like him don’t you?”
“He writes good books.” She yawned. “Its late, you should go back to bed.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Good night Mom.” Carla leaned over and gave her a hug. “Good night sweetie.”
She left her room closed the door behind her; Carla could still see a sliver of light coming from her room. When finally got settled in bed with the lights out she promised herself that she would go looking for whatever caused the noise, if the noise was even real. Tomorrow when it was light outside, she figured that it wouldn’t be as creepy.
All night she tossed and turned unable to sleep. The wind blew viciously without stopping. She finally fell into an uneasy sleep at around two o’clock am.
At around 10:45 in the morning, the weather didn’t look much better. Dark rain clouds crowded the sky, forcing the sun behind them. It was cold and overcast. A crack of thunder shook the house and woke up Carla. She loved storms and eagerly looked out her bedroom window. She was just in time to see a bolt of lightning tear across the morning sky. Rain started to fall and Carla closed her eyes. She listened to the splatter of rain drops on the roof.
Another boom of thunder shook the house and she opened her eyes. Thirty seconds later, more lightning streaked the dark sky. She got up and switched on a small light. Carla suddenly remembered her idea of going to find the reason for the noise. She looked out her window again. The rain dripped down the glass and the whole world looked gray and colorless. Maybe tomorrow… She thought… then again… there’s nothing else to do today.
Carla walked into her closet. She looked at the many different clothes on the shelves. Her closet was an abnormally large walk-in closet. She decided on wearing a dark green long-sleeved shirt and her favorite jeans. Then she put on an old worn-out pair of sneakers.
Even though she’d probably wait to go out until noon, she liked to be prepared. She checked her appearance in the several full length mirrors that lined the wall behind her. Her emerald green eyes stared back at her through dark brown bangs. Her hair was shoulder length and almost too straight. She was one of those people that always looked like they were blushing. She pursed her lips. The outfit looked fine but her hair needed brushing.
Carla left her closet and sat on her bed. She looked around the room. The walls